Two for the price of one

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Hi,

I have been lurking for a while but I thought it might be time to say hello.

I have/had two tumours. On 29th August they found an Anaplastic Astrocytoma in my head and then on 30th August following a CT scan, mammogram and biopsy they also told me that I have breast cancer (triple positive).  These are both primary tumours and are totally unrelated - lucky me.

I had a craniotomy on 30th September to remove the bulk of the brain tumour and a lumpectomy and a sentinel node removal on 23rd November to remove the breast tumour. To say it has been a rocky few month is an understatement. Today is session 8/33 of radiotherapy for the brain cancer while they try and formulate a total treatment plan (tricky as they are not related and this means that there is no funding to give both Herceptin/Chemo alongside Temozolomide) 

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello

xx 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Coffee Wrench

    what a roller coaster ride your having. My first thought when reading your post was to try and make you smile, but I'm sure anything I say has already been said.

    You've joined a great group and I wished I joined it earlier than I did. The people on here are a fountain of knowledge and I'm sure you will find them helpful and supportive.

    All the best for the future. 

  • Thank you, it is certainly my dark sense of humour that is keeping me going.  My Brain tumour was called Joffrey and I named my Breast Tumour, Ramsay.  I am a Game of Thrones fan and they seemed appropriate.  

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to CoffeeWench

    I called my breast cancer clare and the two pieces of metal that were placed in my breast, metal mickey, the first one, and when I went in for the second was metal Minnie (my granddaughters choice).

    When we told the family my granddaughter had me dead and buried she is austic along with other disabilities. I spent a long while talking to her and we have agreed that when the time does come, which are years away, we will plan it together.

    Like you it's been my sense of humour that has kept me going but I have allowed my self bad days as well.

    Please keep positive and take each day as it comes and I'm small steps of needed. 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Oh my, life's thrown you a couple of surprises alright! I love your humour and title here. It's bargain you wish you'd not have really!

    I'm so sorry, surely NHS should not say oh no funding so we can't treat you? I would certainly be so cross about that esp more so you have got your worries about your health! Everyone deserves a fighting chance, do pursue this with Macmillan helplines if it does  ever come to that! I'm praying that it WON'T.

    How are you finding Radiotherapy? I had wished you'd come on here earlier for support, even if it's just for the dark humour. But we all do things when we're ready, that I can understand. It must be so hard for you/ your family too. Don't feel you're ever alone ok 

    Cx

  • it has certainly been an interesting end to 2021.  Apparently it is because they are both primary tumours, if the brain was secondary then it would probably be ok.  Both the head and Breast team are working on it, I am confident that by the time Chemo comes around then it will all be sorted!

    Radiotherapy is going ok, last session is 12/01 and I am looking forward to ringing that bell! 

  • Crickey I’m so sorry to hear your story, what a pile of Poop you’ve been landed with. I really feel for you and admire your positivity which as I’ve just said in another thread, is our no1 weapon in all of this. Hope they sort that funding for you soon xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to CoffeeWench

    You're really amazing to go through this stresses and also kept remaining calm plus going through RT. 
    I really hope you will get the outcome you wish for! Take a pic for when you ring the bell! 

    Cx